India is set to become the fifth country to operate hydrogen-fuelled trains, following Germany, France, Sweden, and China. Indian Railways has initiated a pilot project to retrofit hydrogen fuel cells into existing DEMU (diesel-electric multiple unit) trains, alongside building necessary ground infrastructure.

The first prototype will debut on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana by December 2024 under the Northern Railway zone. A senior official confirmed that the integration process is underway at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw closely monitoring the eco-friendly initiative.

As part of the “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative, 35 hydrogen-powered trains will be rolled out, each costing over Rs 80 crore. An additional Rs 70 crore will be allocated for infrastructure on various heritage and hill routes. Officials emphasised the project’s contribution to India’s net zero carbon emissions target, highlighting the significant benefits of hydrogen as a green fuel for sustainable transportation.

A hydrogen plant has received clearance from the Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization, and leading agencies, including TUV-SUD Germany, are conducting onboard safety assessments. The targeted heritage routes for these trains include the Matheran-Hill Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Kangra Valley, and Nilgiri Mountain Railways. Following successful trials, operations on these routes are expected within the next three years, offering a blend of modern technology and India’s cultural legacy.

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Hydrogen as a clean fuel has the potential to revolutionise green transportation and support India’s zero-carbon emission goals. Initially, 35 hydrogen trains will be launched, each with six cars, on eight heritage routes.

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